Yob - Clearing The Path To Ascend - review
Yob - Clearing The Path To Ascend - review
Band
Yob Release date
September 01, 2014 Tracklist
01. In Our Blood02. Nothing To Win
03. Unmask The Spectre
04. Marrow
A review by
tea[m]ster August 14, 2014
I am always a sucker for lengthy, epic, monumental songs and Clearing The Path To Ascend dishes out its punishment in the form of 4 tracks totalling 60 minutes of music - just huge. The entire opus bases its sound on two principles: First, slower tempos arranged around down-tuned guitar tones that create a thick and dense sonic aura. Secondly, tactically placed ethereal and absorbing moments of audio gratification that are proximal to monolithic riffs and drums pounding away with slow, mammoth patterns. These two propositions complement each other effortlessly, combining to create one gigantic, resolute but satisfying outlook.
The "improvements" over their last record, Atma are substantial. The biggest change is the addition of more atmosphere and progression in the themes of the songs. Aside from the direct and simple riffage, there's a focus on structure and dynamics that can kick the music into overdrive before lulling the listener back into a state of auditory numbness, and dare I say there is a bit of melody contrived in these notes. Also, the production is a bit more smooth, and not so much the smoky and hazy firmaments that engulf most of stoner/doom music. It's a pleasant change, the fact that Yob did not suffocate their songs with a lumbering mass of blunt distortion. Finally, the vocals are still low in the mix but are more than just growled or screamed. Engaging, coherent, clean singing that's somewhat manipulated are perfectly synced to enhance the magnitude of the album.
Clearing The Path To Ascend is a high benchmark for other bands of this ilk to take on. I've tried other bands in this genre but I find that Yob have a unique way of creating music that's entirely sheltered in acute directness and yet still manages to deliver undiscovered subtleties on repeated listens. I love their startling ability to sink to new depths of desensitizing heaviness with song designs that are more or less uncomplicated but still can appease the layman's metal music listener.
Rating breakdown
| Performance: | 8 |
| Songwriting: | 7 |
| Originality: | 8 |
| Production: | 9 |
Written on 14.08.2014 by
Written on 14.08.2014 by
Be gentle, I never said I was any good at this! Comments
Comments:
12
Visited by
216 users
 Posts: 5989 |
Posts: 5989
Yeah, I haven't heard the full album yet other than the one track that was already released, but going by that one alone I definitely see what you're saying that this album appears to have better atmosphere and progression. It seems a little darker, and dark for this type of music is always good for me. Nice review 
---- I am the Magician and the Exorcist. I am the axle of the wheel, and the cube in the circle. “Come unto me” is a foolish word: for it is I that go. ~ II. VII
Loading...
|
 Posts: 5161 |
Posts: 5161
Planning on listening to this and the new Pall Bearer as I might see them both soon. Nice review Jay, as it is often the case.
Loading...
|
 Posts: 9126 |
Posts: 9126 Written by Ilham on 14.08.2014 at 15:41 Coming back in France or do they tour Morocco too?
---- My Author's Blog (in French)  "You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you" "I've lost too many years now I'm stealing back my soul I am awake"
Loading...
|
| Posts: 5161 |
Posts: 5161 Written by Darkside Momo on 14.08.2014 at 18:39 The day bands start touring Morocco, you'll hear me yapping about it  . No unfortunately, I just have a couple things left to do in France, and if my finances allow me to, I'll see these guys and a couple other bands. Are you going to catch the Toulouse date? I think there is one.
Loading...
|
|
Posts: 3554  |
Posts: 3554 Written by Auntie Sahar on 14.08.2014 at 15:38 It's definitely my favorite of their's. They've taken their sound in the direction I wanted them to (like you said, darker and more "atmospheric"). Great review btw Jay
Loading...
|
| Posts: 9126 |
Posts: 9126 Written by Ilham on 14.08.2014 at 18:57 There is one. Not totally sure to be there, but probably!
---- My Author's Blog (in French) "You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you" "I've lost too many years now I'm stealing back my soul I am awake"
Loading...
|
| Posts: 5989 |
Posts: 5989 Written by Ilham on 14.08.2014 at 18:57 Why did I read that as *fiances at first?
---- I am the Magician and the Exorcist. I am the axle of the wheel, and the cube in the circle. “Come unto me” is a foolish word: for it is I that go. ~ II. VII
Loading...
|
| LiquidSmoke
Account deleted |
|
| Posts: 5161 |
Posts: 5161
Okay. I listened to this. It's great. It's just great. Now I know which gig to give priority to, I'm not missing this live.
Loading...
|
|
Posts: 13  |
Posts: 13
Probably my favorite since The Illusion of Motion ! A good surprise for me, yeay !!
---- Psygnosis's Bandcamp
Loading...
|
 Posts: 669 |
Posts: 669
"Marrow" is such a mesmerizer. The entire album seems better than Atma to me.
Loading...
|
 Posts: 3099 |
Posts: 3099
I'm definitely in agreement that the production brings out the best in this album. Excellent.
Loading...
|
Hits total: 6443 | This month: 7